Public Comments Invited - Harper Creek Mine Project

OTTAWA, Feb. 12, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) is conducting a federal environmental assessment of the proposed Harper Creek Mine Project (the Project) located in British Columbia (B.C.).

The Project is subject to review under both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and British Columbia's Environmental Assessment Act, and is undergoing a coordinated environmental assessment with B.C.'s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO).

The Agency and the EAO invite the public to comment on the potential environmental effects of the Project and the proposed measures to prevent or mitigate those effects as described in a summary of the proponent's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Harper Creek Mining Corp. proposes the construction and operation of an open-pit mine located 90 kilometres northeast of Kamloops, B.C. The Harper Creek Mine Project is expected to produce 70,000 tons of copper-gold-silver ore per day (25 million tons per year) over a mine life of 28 years.

The public comment period will take place from February 19, 2015 to March 21, 2015. An information session will be held during the comment period.

Comments need only be submitted once to either the Agency or the EAO to be considered for both the provincial and federal environmental assessments. All comments received will be considered public. Written comments can be submitted to either:

Quick Facts

• The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is seeking public comments on the summary of the EIS for the proposed Harper Creek Mine Project, located 90 kilometres northeast of Kamloops, B.C. The summary of the EIS, a copy of the complete document, and more information on this project are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry website, reference number 61898.
• Following this comment period, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency will prepare a Comprehensive Study Report, setting out its conclusions and recommendations regarding the potential environmental effects of the Project, the proposed mitigation measures, and the significance of any remaining adverse environmental effects. A public comment period on the Comprehensive Study Report will be announced at a later date.
• The Harper Creek Mine Project is being assessed using a science-based approach under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
• The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.
  

Associated Links

• Harper Creek Mine Project (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency)
• Environmental Assessment Office (Government of British Columbia)

SOURCE Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Contacts: Ted Laking, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of the Environment, 819-997-1441; Greg Leake, Director of Communications, B.C. Environmental Assessment Office, 250-387-2470; Karen Fish, Communications Advisor, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, 613-957-0278, [email protected]